Bolt anchor



1,646,431 C. C. TOMKINSON .BOLT ANCHOR A Filed sept. 10. 1921 ssheets-sneet l @j j 36 f pj, @n

A- TTORNEY j M/WM BOLT ANCHOR Filed Sept. l0. 1921 3 Sheets-Shet 2 A TTU/ENE Y oct. 25,1927, C. c. TOMKINSQN l,46,431

BOLTANCHOR Filed Sept. 10. 192] 3 Shee'nsvSheet 3 @yg/4, T

fl TTU/UVE Y Patented Oct. 25, 192.7.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES C. TOMKINSON, OF PLAINFIELD, NEW gERSEY, ASSIGNOR T JOHN ED- WARD, OGDEN. 0F MOUNTAINVILLE, NEW -YORK.

BOLT ANCHOR.

Application filed September 1 0, 1921. Serial No. 499,814.

This invention relates to bolt anchors and more particularlyA to anchorages such as are used in ceilings for suspending pipe hangers and similar devices. 'V

One of the objects of the invention .is to provide a shield for anchors constructed in a manner to permit the use of thin walls on the portion of the shield to be positioned in the hole or opening thereby permitting the use of a-smaller hole in the wall of building structure.

Another ob `ect of the invention is to provide-a` shield adapted to receive a threaded bolt and having its threaded portion adapted to `be positioned outside of the opening in the wall in which the anchor is to be used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shield having ceiling plate formed thereon.

Another object ofjthe invention is to provide an anchor comprising an expansible shield and means cooperating with the shield 4for expanding the shield and adapted to exert a radia'l pressure on all parts of theinterior of the expansible portion of the shield.

Another object of the invention is to provide an expansion shield'having a portion adapted to be positioned outside the wall opening, said portion having an open throat constructed to permit the driving of the shield into the wall opening with-out injuring the threads of the shield.- j i Another object of the invention is to provide abolt anchor comprising ashield with expansible elements and a filler or expanding element of relatively soft metal constructed andarranged in amanner whereby the expansible elements will be retained against initial expansion before the shield is inserted in the wall opening. i' v Another object of the invention is to provide av novel method. of forming and assembling an expansion -shield and the expanding elementy therefor. i

Thel invention maybe brieflydescribed as al .bolt anchor comprising an expansion shield having a'flange acting as a ceiling p'late andvv a threaded portion disposed'outside the ceilingplate andgfurther comprises 59 an expanding element adapted tobe forced "longitudinally in the shield thereby spreading thevShield.. i

One form of invei'itioninvolvesA 'the use of a soft metal expanding element or filler adapted to be forced radially in al'l directions thereby pressing the shield outwardly and being itself forced out between theslotsV in the shield into engagement with thevwall opening. y

The invention further includesthe methodv of asselnbling'tli'e shield and expanding clement. The shield is longitudinally split or slotted and is castv with the expansiblc elcments spread wide enough apart to permit the entry of the expanding element, the shield thereafter being closed on the element.

In certain forms of the invention the shield has recesses into which the` soft met-al filler maybe forced when the shield and iiller are assembled and whereby-the expansible parts of the shie'ld are held. against any initial or premature expansion beforev the shield'is inserted in the wall opening.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like p-arts are indicated by like reference characters throughout the several views: Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a bolt- `anchor constructed in accordancev with my invention and shown as expanded in an opening in a wall or ceiling. Fig. 2'i's a sectional elevation' of the ex# pansion shiefld shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, lpartly in section, taken at' right angles to Fig. 2.l A Fig. 4 is an endview of the shield shownV -in Fig. 2.'

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional'view taken substantially on line 5er-5 of Fig. '2.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the inner end of the shield'shown .in Fig. 2.- I

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view-taken substantially on line 7 7 of Fig. v1. x

F ig ..8 is a 'sectional e'levationfof another form of expansion `shield constructediin vac*-l cordanee' with my invention.- i

Fig. 9 is an elevational v1ew of the shield 7 f Fig. 11 is an end elevation vo'yfthe inner "end of the shield shown in,Fig.^8.

I `ig. 12` is a sectional elevation of another* formi of shield and: expanding. means com `structe'din accordance withmyinvention; .y A'

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of another form of shield and expanding means constructed in accordance with my invention. l

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation ofV an expansion shield. constructed in. accordance with my invention and shown 1n the form in which it is cast and before the expanding portions are closed on the expanding element.

Fig.l 15 is a sectional elevation of another form of shield with Aa soft metal filler and having means for preventing initial separation of the expansible elements. I.

Figs. 16 and 17 are sectional elevations taken substantially on lines 16-16 and l7-17 of Fig. 15. v

Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation of still ani other form of shield similar to that shown Figs. 19 and 20 aresectionalelevations taken substantially on lines 19-19 and 20-20 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation of the shield shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but with another form of soft metal filler, and

Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation of the shield shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but with still another form of filler.

The bolt anchor about to be described is particularly adapted for use in ceilings' for supporting pipe hangers and 1n Fig. 1, I have shown a portion 20 of a wall or ceil# ing and an expansion shield 21 expanded into the opening 22 in the wall 20.

The expansion shield is preferably formed from a malleable iron casting and is provided with apluralit of longitudinal slots 23 extending-inward y from the inner end 24 of the shield. The slots 23 divide the shield into a plurality of expansible elements 25, and the inner ends of these elements have formed thereon ribs 26 adapted to engage the wall opening, the ribs being connected by ywebs 27. Y

The inner surfaces of the expanslble elements converge toward the inner end of the shieldvas shown at 28.

The shield 'has formed integral therewith' a laterally extending flange 29 which forms a ceiling plate and the shield also has formed integral therewith a sleeve portion 30- extending outwardly or beyond thel 'platel 23. From the showing, particularly in Fig. 2, 1t will be' noted that the wall of the portion l30 is much'thicker than the wall of the remaining portion of the shield since the wall 30 is screw threaded to receive a bolt 31. By making thewall of the inner portion of the shield thinner a. smaller opening or hole in the wall 20 may be used, thereby making a. decided saving in the labor cost of drilling these holes. As shown also-1n Fig. 2 the outer end of the lopening in the ,portion 30 of the shield is beveled as indicated at 32 forming an open throat and this construction permits the driving of the shield into the wall opening without injury to the screw threads and facilitates the insertion of the bolt 31.

In order to prevent the shield from turn- .ing in the opening and also to assist in re- In vthe forni of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-7 inclusive, a soft metal expand-` ing element 34 is used, this element being positioned within the shield in a manner hereinafter set forth andsubstantially conforming in shape to the inner surface of the end portion of 'the shield. This soft metal element 34 also has laterally extending webs 344 that are received-by the slots 23 and the outer edges of webs 34 are substantially flush with the outer wall of the shield. It shouldbe understood, however, that this particular shape is not essential and any form of soft metal filler may be utilized equally well. In Fig. 2the expanding element and expansion shield are shown before expansion by the rod or bolt 31. In Fig. 1, however, the rod is' shown in expanding position and the soft metal of the filler 34 has been forced longitudinally of the shield as shown at 35 and has also been forced o-utwardly between the slots as shown in Fig. 1 at 36 and in Fig. 7 at 37. The portion 37 "of the soft metal engages the wall of the opening and assists in retaining the anchor in" position. When the bolt- 31 has been forced intothe. member 34 the Soft metal is forced laterally and exerts a radial pressure on all portions ofthe shield with which it contacts thereby spreading theiexpansible shield part-s 25 and passing through r forces the soft metal also into contact with the wall thereby firmly retaining the anchor in position. A

In Figs. 8-11, inclusive, another form of expansion shield is shown, this shield having four expansible portions 40 formed by four longitudinal slot-s 41 whereas the structure shown in the preceding figures contained only a pair of expansion elements and a pair of slots.

In Fig. 12 a similar shield is shown but in this form no' expanding element other than the rod or bolt 21 is used. The end of this bolt contacts directly with the converging shield. Y

In Fie. 13 the shield illustrated is similar to that s own in Figs. 8-11 but in this form of the 'invention an expanding element 42 of portions of the expansible parts of the hard man is utilized. 'As the bolt 01 rodtravels inwardly in the shield shown in Fig.` 13 the end of the bolt will engage the element 42 and will force this member longitudinally in the shield thereby spreading the expansible elements 40. In Fig. 14 I have illustratedv the method of assembling the anchor above described.l

- expanding elements may be used.

. sure used to In Figs. 16-20 the anchor is formed by casting or otherwise forming the shield with the cxpansible elements spread apart as shown in Fig. 14 and by closing these elements on an expanding elementof cylindrical or other preferred shape.

As the expansible elements are forced down on the soft metal element the latter is squeezed into the shape of ,the interior of the bore of the shield and `outwardly through any openings in the wall of the shield.

In order to retain the shield expansible i of relatlvely hard metal having a plurality elements and to counteract any premature expanding of the elements when the presclose them on the expanding element, is removed, .I have shown in Figs.

15-20 means in the form of depressions or recesses or apertures in the inner wall of the shield.

In Figs. 15 and 16 dovetail openings 43 are shown in the shield and 'also cylindrical or straight openings 44 are shown in Figs. 15 and 17. Either of these forms of opening will have the effect of bonding the ex`- pansible elements against separation or premature expansion.

In Figs. 18-20 the shield is shown as provided with longitudinal dovetail grooves45 on the'inner wall and the forcing of the soft -metal into these grooves bonds the expansible parts together.

In Fig. 21 is shown an expanding element 46, of a form to be inserted through the threaded opening of the shield. This element may be cylindrical or of any other desired shape and upon the longitudinal movement of the bolt in the shieldl the element 46 will be compressed and will expand the expansible elements of the shield and he forced outwardly as in the construction shown in preceding figures and already described.

In Fig. 22 is shown an expanding element 47 adapted to enter the shield through the threaded opening and having its outer surface conical in shape or tapered to conform to the interior of the shield.

From the above description it will be seen thata shield has been provided having one portlon of its wall'relatively thick to receive screw threads and having another portion adapted to be positioned in an opening in a wall provided with relatively thin' walls thereby permitting its use in openings of smaller diameter than would otherwise be possible. T he shield also has' formed inte- `gral therewith a flange 0r ceiling plate. The expanding element,` moreover, is adapted to be forced inwardly thereby spreading the expansible portions of the shield, and in the case of the soft metal element, exerting a radial, outward pressure on the'shield and being forced outwardly through the vopenings in the shield into engagement with the wall opening, thereby forming an exceedingly strong anch-orage.

Although certain specific embodiments of the mvention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention is capable of further modicatio-n and that changes in the construction and in the arrangement of the various cooperatingl parts may be made without departing from the sp1r1t or scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. `In combination, anl expansion sfhield of expansible elements and having a threaded portion for receiving an expanding element and a soft metalmass positioned within said elements and adapted to spread the elements.

2. In combination, a one piece expansion' shield of relatively hard metal having a plurality of expa-nsible elements, a flange i intermediate the ends of the shield and a threaded portion extending 'beyond' the flange and means including'a mass of soft metal disposed within" the shield for engaging and expandingthe expansible Xelements. l

lll)

3.1In combination., .an expansion shieldhaving an expansible portion.` adapted to be received and expanded within an opening in having an expansible portion adapted to be. i

received and expanded within an opening" in a wall, a portion having threads adapted to be positioned outside the hole, a Vliange between said-portions and a soft metal expanding element disposed within the expansible portion of the shield-consisting of a mass of metal extending substantially across the bore of the opening in said expansible portion.

5. A bolt anchor comprising an expansion shield having an open end and expansible elements and an expanding element of relatively soft metal adapted to be inserted `through the open end of the shield and to be positioned withinthe shield.

6. A bolt anchor comprising an expansion shield having an open end and expansible elements and a cylindrical expanding element of relatively soft metal adapted to be inserted through the open end of the shield and to be positionedwithin the shield.

7. A bolt anchor comprising an expansion shield having an open end and expansible elements and an expanding element of relatively soft metal .adapted to be inserted through the open end of the shield and to be positioned within the shield, said expanding element being shorter in length than the shield.

8. A bolt anchor comprising an expansion shield having expansible elements and vhaving a threaded opening in one end adapted to receive a` ythreaded member, `an expanding element having a cross section smaller than the opening and adapted to be inserted in the shield through the opening and means engaging the threaded opening of the shield and engageable with the expandingelement to canse said element to expand the shield.,

9. A new article' of manufacture comprisingy an expansion-bolt having a hollow perforated portion adapted to extend into a hole and another portion adapted to extendon the exterior ofthe hole to cover and conceal the hole and vadapted to support a bolt or screw, and compressible material mounted within the hollov7 perforated portion, and adapted to be forced radially through perforations to make a bond or grip with a wall or other suitable support.

10. A new article of manufacture compris-- ing anfexpansion bolt having a hollow perforated portion, the outer end of the expansion bolt being provided with a. flange, head or rosette to extend out of a hole and conceal it, compressible material mounted in the hollow perforated portion, means to engage ing an expansion bolt having a hollow perfo rated portion, the outer end of the expansion rbolt being provided with a flange, head or rosette to extendv out of a hole and conceal it,

ycompressible material mounted in the hollow perforated portion, means engageable with the end of said compressible material to force portions of it out through the perforations in the hollow expansion bolt.

12. A new article of manufacture comprising an expansion bolt having a hollow perforated portion, the outer end of the ex ansion bolt being provided with a flange, ead or rosette toextend out of a hole and conceal it, compressible material mounted in the hollow perforated portion, means engageable with the fend of said compressible material to force portions of it out through the perforations in the hollow expansion bolt and a bolt or screw to cooperate with the flange, head or rosette.

13. A bolt anchor comprising an expansion shield having lateral openings therein and having aV ceiling plate formed on its outerV end portion, compressible material of relatively soft metal disposed within said shield and means for forcing said compressible material through said lateral openings to anchor the shield.

14. A bolt anchor comprising an expansion shield having tapered walls and lateral openings therein, and having a ceiling plate formed on its outer end portion, compressible material of Vrelatively soft ymet-al dis-- posed within said shield and means for forcing said compressible material through said lateral openings to anchor the shield.

15. A bolt anchor comprising an expansion Ashield having a bore constricted at its inner end and having lateral-openings therein, said shield having a ceiling plate formed on its outer end portion, compressible material of relatively soft metal .disposed within said shield and means for forcing said compressible material through said lateral openings to anchor the shield.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 3rd day of August, 1921.

CHARLES C. TOMKINSON. 

